Patience is something that eludes lots of people. Depending on your personality and temperament it may be hard to get the patience monster under control. Instead of waiting and thinking things through we react to things in the present moment. Sometimes doing this can backfire in a big way. For instance if you do not get your emotions under control and are assuming things, you could spout off to a friend and hurt a relationship due to a misunderstanding. If you blow off steam at work you could get put on probation or fired. In a marriage relationship if you are impatient you could end up in a fight. If we do not stop and think before we speak or react we can really do some things we wish we could take back. Jumping to conclusions is never good for anyone. This writer often has joked that I have the 'gold medal' in the sport of jumping to conclusions. Anyone who wants to take this medal from me is welcome. I will settle for no medal at all.
Learning to be patient and to not overreact does take discipline. It is all a part of controlling our emotions. The Bible speaks of not growing weary. Patience is a fruit of the spirit that needs to be grown into maturity. We do not pick a banana when it is green. It would not be edible at all. Fruits of the spirit have to take time to grow like God wants them to just like the banana takes time to ripen. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." Colossians 3:12 says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Galatians 5:22-23 says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Also in describing love in 1 Corinthians 13 it also mentions patience in verse 4 it says "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." Impatience can cause hurt, anger, confusion and nothing good really comes from it. You end up digging yourself out of a pit due to the fact you could not just wait and your mouth was your undoing.
Lack of patience causes people to do crazy things in other areas. You are impatient driving so therefore tailgate and speed. You are impatient at a sporting event or a movie due to long lines so cut in line. Impatience causes more hurt than good. Impatience gets people into real problems so you can see why it is important to work on this area if you need to learn to not be in such a hurry.
If there has been an offense because of lack of patience remember what it says in Ephesians 4:32 and that is "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Get over it, blow it off, or let it fester and continue to cause a root of bitterness.
Lack of patience often results in speaking without thinking things through. If you have the problem of doing this you have to work at looking to God to help you control your emotions and your tongue. The words we say when we are impatient can come back to bite us later and can take time to mend the destructive path they have left. It is like an F5 tornado tearing down everything in its' path. The destruction has been done and it takes time to wait for repairs. Some of the F5 damage leaves death which can never be undone. So you see how vitally important it is to really stop and think things through and not be over reacting to every situation.
Now I do not watch the Simpson's but once when the TV 'happened' to be on to the station they were on several years ago this scenario unfolded. Homer, the main character, was extremely agitated because his boss at the nuclear plant, there in the fictitious town of Springfield, was going to fire him. Homer was so angry. He was in the process of writing a letter and was going to go instantly to his local post office to mail it when his wife Marge chimed in,"Homer you are so angry. Maybe you should sleep on this overnight and you would not be so angry in the morning." That is the one time the Simpson's had something wise to say. Way to go Marge!
Proverbs 10:12 says "Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs." Just remember relationships are what matter. We do not want our impatience to cause problems in with those we love. If something happens and you want to react why not stop and take a breath and pray. If we prayed before we react to things we might get ourselves out of some touchy situations we find ourselves in. Give it a try.
Isaiah 40:31 says "Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." Today is the day to start your walk towards gaining patience. God can help. Let Him.
PRAYER: Father I need your help in this area. Many times something has happened and I jump to conclusions and react right then when I should have waited and prayed. Impatience causes so much pain and heartache and trouble. Lord I want this fruit of the spirit to grow out of control in my life. I want it to grow and be dominant in my life. I know when we pray for patience people say 'look out' a test is coming. Lord just help me to stop and think before I react to things .In Jesus Name .Amen.
Note: Turn up your speakers and enjoy worshipping the Lord with this awesome praise song sung by Hillsong. Click link to begin.
http://youtu.be/bIr7-yEtrwk
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